[IxDA Discuss] product SUITE design

[Wilson, Russell]

I'm struggling a little with the design of a product suite.

 

The products perform very different functions, but they do

makeup a suite of tools that can be used in conjunction.

 

The struggle is: 

 

1)      What design elements (banners, navigation, interaction patterns,
etc.) should be the same?  

2)      What can be different?  Can I have different navigation
mechanisms for two tools in a suite?

3)      What is key (from a design perspective) to presenting a
connected suite of tools?

 

I tried at one point to fit all the products into one navigation style,
but for at least one

of the products, I was sacrificing usability for the sake of
consistency.  So, I can create "optimal"

designs for each product, but how do I make them come together?  

 

My current gameplan involves making several mechanisms within the
products consistent (the

way a user expands a window, visual elements and icons, etc.), but the
overall navigation is

different.  To me, this "threads" the products together.  But I'm
concerned that navigation is

so different...

 

The best design for a particular function VERSUS consistent coordinated
design???

 

Thanks,

Russ

blog:  http://www.dexodesign.com

 

 

 

Russell Wilson | Director of Product Design  
NetQoS, Inc. | 5001 Plaza on the Lake, Austin, TX 78746
512.334.3725 | russell.wilson at netqos.com
<mailto:russell.wilson at netqos.com>  

NetQoS: Performance Experts
www.netqos.com <http://www.netqos.com/>